Reflecta RPS 7200 - any opinions?

[xtolsniffer]

Hi all,
I'm really getting back into shooting Velvia in 35mm at the moment, and I've been looking around for film scanners for a while. I've shortlisted the Reflecta RPS 7200 as I really can't squeeze out the quality I want from my Epson V700 for 35mm, though I'm very happy with the results from 6x7 transparencies. Does anyone have any personal experience with this Reflecta scanner at all? I think I must have read every online review available, but some personal experience and opinions would be handy.

Thanks!

 

[Felinik]

You will need another scan software, the software "CyberviewX" shipped with it is really bad. I got myself a copy of Vuescan Pro and it's great ($79, and has lifetime support!).

Are you going to scan strips or mounted trannies? You know it only takes one at a time, right? But for strips it can batch scan a full roll! I've just started to get my head around this machine, received it some two weeks ago, but so far I'm very happy with the results, and using vuescan is a breeze!


Cheers
JF Felinik

 

[gmikol]

It looks like this is the same scanner as the Pacific Image PrimeFilm 7250 Pro3.

I borrowed the Pacific Image version years ago, and it's a decent 35mm scanner. Mounted slides are only 1 at a time, but it does have the option of scanning full rolls of 35mm (up to 40 frames, I think).

The one I used had horrible image noise and banding on the left edge of the frame at the 7200 ppi setting, but was fine at the 3600 ppi setting. I don't know if that was just an issue with the unit I was using, or if it's something to look out for. Felnik...do you have a piece of un-exposed E-6 leader you could scan @ 7200 and let us know?

There is very little difference in real resolution between the 3600 and 7200 settings, IMO. Resolution @3600 is appreciably better than the Epson @3200.

I second the VueScan recommendation.

I can try and dig up a few samples later today or tomorrow.

--Greg

 

[Felinik]

I have not yet done color, only have c41 negs, so I can't help you there. However for my b&w I do 3600 resolution and I am fully happy with that, and yes, it beats my epson v500 by far, and the autofocus was VERY welcome...

 

[xtolsniffer]

I was going to use Vuescan, I use it with my Epson V700 under Linux, though the RPS7200 isn't supported under Linux unfortunately. I never really got on with Silverfast to be honest...
I tent not to mount my slides, just either order reprints from the unmounted slides or scan as strips in the V700.

 

[xtolsniffer]

Well, I just bought one, arrived Monday, so I guess I can let you all know how it performs! I'm aiming to do some comparisons with my V700.

 

[pellicle]

Well, I just bought one, arrived Monday, so I guess I can let you all know how it performs! I'm aiming to do some comparisons with my V700.

please do post the results I will be very interested.

Have you tried to tune focus on the Espon?

I know on every Epson I've ever used it was 100% required.

I used a stack of coins on the glass (just didn't put the tray there and scanned it) to measure the height.

I've put a few instructions on my blog here

 

[xtolsniffer]

I have done some pretty extensive tests on height adjustments. For me, using the epson holders I've found that the 'plus' setting is marginally better than the '0' setting. The coin idea is a good one, I'll have to try that. I'm not just interested in the quality, the useability is also important. The V700 is a big beast so can't sit on my desk all the time. It's a long process getting it out, unlocking the heads, connecting it up, letting it warm up etc etc, not to mention loading the negative/slide strips. It'll be interesting to see how that compares with the motorised feed of the Reflecta.

 

[Felinik]

The feed is great, what I'm trying to workout is a way to handle the roll before and after entering the scanner.... Possible by using spring engine car tracks (toys) from ebay.....

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/5/2/5/6/5/2/webimg/623341820_tp.jpg

(those tracks are 41mm wide)

 

[Rudeofus]

I was going to use Vuescan, I use it with my Epson V700 under Linux, though the RPS7200 isn't supported under Linux unfortunately.

Wow, thanks for the heads up, I (100% linux) was almost ready to plunk down money for this beast!

Is there a similar scanner which does work under linux? I'd be especially interested in a scanner that scan scan a whole 35mm roll in one batch ...

 

[pellicle]

Hi

yeah, I know what you mean about bulky. Bui I don't leave mine on the desk when not using it because of wanting to avoid dust buildup.

Setting up however is as simple as plugging in a USB cable and a power point. YMMV

unlocking the heads, connecting it up, letting it warm up etc etc, not to mention loading the negative/slide strips. It'll be interesting to see how that compares with the motorised feed of the Reflecta.

unlocking only needs to be done if you're posting it somewhere where gentle handling is not certain AFAIK, not just moving it around the place.

warmup will happen whenever its not used for more than a few minutes ...

For a single strip of negs I agree its a pain, but then not so much less on the Nikon. Scanning film is always more hassle than reading off a memory card.

 

[xtolsniffer]

The feed is great, what I'm trying to workout is a way to handle the roll before and after entering the scanner.... Possible by using spring engine car tracks (toys) from ebay.....

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/5/2/5/6/5/2/webimg/623341820_tp.jpg

(those tracks are 41mm wide)

Now that looks like a genius idea!

 

[Felinik]

Now that looks like a genius idea!

Yeah, I'm about to grab a pack for 5 euro at the local "craigslist" (leboncoin in France)...

I had those as a kid, and came to think about them direct after the first scanning of an entire roll here, it took my entire desk + half the wall (climbing up on a mat board......).

 

[xtolsniffer]

Wow, thanks for the heads up, I (100% linux) was almost ready to plunk down money for this beast!

Is there a similar scanner which does work under linux? I'd be especially interested in a scanner that scan scan a whole 35mm roll in one batch ...

That's what the Vuescan site says anyway, supported under Mac and Windows but not Linux. I'm going to give it a go as I've got a dual boot machine, but I suspect it's right. The Epson V700 will work under Linux with Vuescan, but I wanted to upgrade to a better 35mm film scanner.

You can see the list of supported scanners here:

VueScan 9 Release Notes

It says under each one which OS it's supported under. The Plustek ones don't seem to be supported under Linux either. The other option is to download the windows version of the Vuescan software and try in under trial mode under WINE, it might work.

 

[xtolsniffer]

Hi

unlocking only needs to be done if you're posting it somewhere where gentle handling is not certain AFAIK, not just moving it around the place.

Unless you have a six year old who likes to re-arrange your office from time to time, then I figure it's a good idea

 

[xtolsniffer]

Yeah, I'm about to grab a pack for 5 euro at the local "craigslist" (leboncoin in France)...

I had those as a kid, and came to think about them direct after the first scanning of an entire roll here, it took my entire desk + half the wall (climbing up on a mat board......).

And you can save space by using loop-the-loops as well!

 

[Rudeofus]

That's what the Vuescan site says anyway, supported under Mac and Windows but not Linux. I'm going to give it a go as I've got a dual boot machine, but I suspect it's right. The Epson V700 will work under Linux with Vuescan, but I wanted to upgrade to a better 35mm film scanner.

I have a V700 right now, running nicely under linux except for the fact that there is no betterscanning holder for 35mm strips and the V700 which makes my 35mm scans a bit soft. I probably got a bit spoiled by vuescan because they seem to support a very large number of scanners under linux, but apparently the Reflecta is not one of them

The other option is to download the windows version of the Vuescan software and try in under trial mode under WINE, it might work.

I'm not going to jump through burning hoops just because a scanner manufacturer thinks it's still 1998. Times have changed, for me it's another 450 Euros saved

 

[xtolsniffer]

Right, it's arrived. First impressions:
First off, it's big but light, not sure what's in the case, must be a fair bit of air. It's reasonably well made, not premium but not cheap either. First boo-boo is that it came with a European power cable. Luckily I have a Euro to UK adaptor handy.
First quick scans of Portra 160. On 3200 dpi there is little difference in resolution between it and the V700, but there is an apparent improvement in Dmax, the shadows are much more open with the Reflecta. I know this is pushing the V700 at that resolution, but I'd like a side by side comparison. The reviews I've seen suggests the Reflecta tops out at 3800 dpi, but I thoughts I'd push it to 7200 dpi to see. Scans were surprisingly fast, and my word! Resolution down to the grain, and not mushy grain, sharp grain. Obviously there is more to a scan than resolution, so next step is to try it properly with Vuescan and see what happens. So initially seeing the 3200 dpi scans I could have stayed with my V700, but push the resolution and it keeps on giving. It's going to be an interesting ride. I'll post more when I've done some more tests.

 

[pellicle]

Unless you have a six year old who likes to re-arrange your office from time to time, then I figure it's a good idea

more reasons why I put mine away ... and still one does not need to engage the locks. I keep mine in a cupboard.

 

[pellicle]

Hi

Right, it's arrived. First impressions:

cool ...

First quick scans of Portra 160. On 3200 dpi there is little difference in resolution between it and the V700, but there is an apparent improvement in Dmax, the shadows are much more open with the Reflecta. I know this is pushing the V700 at that resolution, but I'd like a side by side comparison.

I didn't think that the resolution actually changed the DMAX ... I'd suggest getting a stouffer stepwedge (about $20) and then you'll know what the DMAX is ...

in my view ...: Testing LS-4000 with Stouffer Stepwedge

it can be very revealing.

The reviews I've seen suggests the Reflecta tops out at 3800 dpi, but I thoughts I'd push it to 7200 dpi to see. Scans were surprisingly fast, and my word! Resolution down to the grain, and not mushy grain, sharp grain.

very encouraging

so next step is to try it properly with Vuescan and see what happens

I am so not a fan of vuescan

So initially seeing the 3200 dpi scans I could have stayed with my V700, but push the resolution and it keeps on giving. It's going to be an interesting ride. I'll post more when I've done some more tests.

very encouraging. I am after something to do 6x9 and 6x12, so I will watch with interest.

[EDIT: dratt ... I had misunderstood this scanner and had assumed it was one that also did 120 film.

Ok, would you be interested in comparing this with a Nikon LS-4000? If so please PM me and we can arrange to send a neg in the mail and scan it so we both scan the same neg]

Also (for what its worth) the more accurate you go with DPI, the more accurate focus needs to be to yeild this. I suspect that the AF on the unit is helping this.

thanks for posting

 

[xtolsniffer]

Update: I'm having trouble with Vuescan. The scanner is recognised, all functions work well at resolutions at 3600 dpi and below, but anything above that resolution comes out way way overexposed. Not sure what's going on. At 3600 dpi resolution I would say that the V700 has a very very slight edge in terms of resolution (shock horror!) That's not to say the Reflecta is a bad scanner, I just think the Epson is actually very good when set up right. On the other hand, the Reflecta scans are cleaner, greater dynamic range, shadows hold while retaining detail in highlights. Blown highlights were my nemesis with the V700, even when very carefully adjusted. When I've got time to do a proper side by side comparison I'll post samples.

 

[Felinik]

Did you try making scans with vuescan having more than one pass per scan?

If I do that everything freezes, vuescan guy says it's most probably a hardware problem, would be interesting to see if it works for you.

B&W negative, 3600, 2 passes -<booom>-

 

[xtolsniffer]

Did you try making scans with vuescan having more than one pass per scan?

If I do that everything freezes, vuescan guy says it's most probably a hardware problem, would be interesting to see if it works for you.

B&W negative, 3600, 2 passes -<booom>-

That's interesting, I'll try that. I'm going to play about with the settings, see if it's some odd combination that stops it scanning above 3600. You can see the image, it's just very very overexposed.

 

[xtolsniffer]

OK, lets see if this works. First the sample image (quick jpeg from an Epson V700). Scanned from Portra, image from a Nikon F100 with a 35mm F2 Nikkor if I remember rightly. Then detail from the sleeve of the logo at 100%, firstly from an Epson V700 at 3600 dpi, then from the Reflecta at 3600 dpi. The Epson was adjusted for the optimal negative height. There is no sharpening or anything else applied.

 

[xtolsniffer]

And this is the same logo taken from a 7200 dpi scan, firstly as it came out of the scanner, then with a bit of unsharp mask applied. If you look at the size of the original section that's been enlarged, I have to say that it is quite impressive! I've yet to run more tests, but my gut feeling is that the V700 does give a really really good scan, it looks sharper out of the scanner, but then it is more contrasty. The Reflecta looks softer, but you have a greater dynamic range to play with and can sharpen it up and play with it a bit more.